Steering gear swap

[Archieb89]

Anyone here done a 4 bolt steering gear swap? I think they're 97+ then they changed slightly mid supre duty. I've read on some other forums guys with bricknose broncos bolt gears from 1999-2000 econoline vans right up. Ill be redoing all my steering linkages as well as a new box. Just wanted to see if anyone here has done the swap and if its really worth it or I should just go with stock replacement.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I'm not being negative here. Is there an advantage to doing the swap? That's one that I haven't heard of so I'm curious. Will I be doing this? Probably not, but I'm curious anyway.

 

[Nero]

Quick, someone go poke @IDIBOBS
I'm all for modding in unique ways, but I agree, is there a benefit?

 

[Archieb89]

Thats really all I'm wondering. I need a new gear either way. But I just saw a couple write ups on bronco forums. And it seems fairly simple other than new/different lines needed. But if it doesn't make a considerable difference i wouldn't waste my time and just go stock lol

I'm not being negative here. Is there an advantage to doing the swap? That's one that I haven't heard of so I'm curious. Will I be doing this? Probably not, but I'm curious anyway.

 

[DougBoy66]

I don't know anything about what the differences would be but, just from what you added about different hoses, new hoses new steering box maybe more new unforseen parts and possible headaches. You can get a gearbox with the stock bolt up but a more robust internally like the red or blue cap boxes. Then your other original parts will still work.

 

[Black dawg]

Some of the newer steering gears are just better. Faster ratio and less effort. Seems like you have to go 2012 and newer in a ford to get that benefit. Have been using a 3rd gen 3500 dodge lately, the difference is huge.

 

[DougBoy66]

been using a 3rd gen 3500 dodge lately

What did you have to do for fitment? Do you use the original ford steering pump? Do you have to make hose adapters? Not being a smart a$$. Genuinely curious because mine steering box is well used and could need an upgrade at any moment

 

[Black dawg]

Sorry that wasnt clear.....driving the whole dodge......

 

[DougBoy66]

Sorry that wasnt clear.....driving the whole dodge.....

Also a good choice

 

[Archieb89]

What did you have to do for fitment? Do you use the original ford steering pump? Do you have to make hose adapters? Not being a smart a$$. Genuinely curious because mine steering box is well used and could need an upgrade at any moment

From what I've read for the newer ford super duty box swap. If it's the early SD box it'll bolt right up and you either have to have hoses custom made or you take the old brass fittings out of the old box and put them in the new one and that'll allow you to use your original hoses. Because newer boxes use a o ring fitting and old boxes use a flare fitting. But other than that everything else bolts right up. If it's an 05+ box you'll have to enlarge the holes and buy bigger bolts to math the box. Also if you get a 36 spline box you'll need a new pitman arm. But I believe early SD boxes are 32 spline like ours so you can use your original.

 

[Archieb89]

If anyone was curious. Here are a few of the threads I had found...

https://www.fullsizebronco.com/threads/my-4-bolt-swap-cost-nothing.484057/

my 4-bolt steering box swap... yes, you can reuse your...

ok, so ive been looking for a way to use off the shelf hoses for the 4 bolt swap for a little while. i found a solution but for the past two weeks ive been sick but i finally got this wrapped up. so i noticed that both the stock steering box and the 4-bolt box use a 5/16" fitting on the...

www.fullsizebronco.com

4-bolt steering gear swap--interesting discoveries

My '96 Bronco had a significant amount of play in the wheel. So much so that it started to become unsafe on the highway. My choices were to buy a redhead box, or swap in a one-ton steering gear. I decided to do the latter. After having done some reading on the matter, I found that the P/S...

www.fullsizebronco.com